In recent years there has been an increased interest in ‘ocean safaris’, where the most sought-after sighting is the elusive whale shark! These migratory gentle giants are hot property in the Indian Ocean, with many travellers scrambling to board a dive boat in the hope of their very own encounter. Here our Africa specialist Annie gives her rundown of the best places to go to catch a glimpse of one of these elusive creatures…

The ultimate in luxury safari and beach, combining dramatic Big Five game viewing in Zambia with the high end paradise of Northern Mozambique’s exclusive beaches. A superb itinerary allowing you to experience the best of these incredible countries.

Ossimba Beach Lodge

Ilha do Mozambique, Mozambique

Best for: Beach, Honeymoon, Highlights

At the entrance of Nacala Bay in Mozambique, Ossimba Beach Lodge is situated on a remote beach with crystal blue waters. This Eco Lodge offers excellent scuba diving, snorkelling and other water sport activities off the pristine beach.

Ossimba Beach Lodge, built on 1.5km of pristine beach is an eco lodge run purely on solar energy. It is owned by Kevin Kitley and Gavin Hau who are both from the Cape Province, South Africa and wanted to open up a lodge in Mozambique which reflects their love of the sea and adventure.

The lodge contains eight huge thatched en-suite villas and two family villas with king size beds, mosquito nets and wooden paddle fans. All of the villas are located on the beach front and offer privacy and peace. There is a stylish and comfortable lounge area, a restaurant, bar area and pool.

Ossimba Beach Lodge has a Gemini 6.5m diving and fishing boat, paddle boards, snorkelling, ocean kayaking, fishing, surfing and is surrounded by 50 hectares of beautiful indigenous forest teeming with birdlife and offering walking trails to explore. Day trips to world heritage site of Ilha do Mocambique and sunset boat cruises are also available. Guests have private access to the ocean and fresh seafood is prepared daily by the resident chef.

When to go

Throughout the year daytime temperatures are between 28 and 33°C at Ossimba Beach Lodge. In June, July and August (the local winter months) the daytime temperatures maybe a little bit cooler. In northern Mozambique, where Ossimba is situated, the rainy season generally lasts from January to March. The best time to visit Ossimba Beach Lodge weather-wise is, therefore, from April to June and September to December.

To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8870

Holiday ideas including a stay in this property

Okavango Delta, Savuti, Johannesburg & Ilha de Mozambique

The perfect combination of relaxation, activity and phenomenal game viewing. Take in the abundant Botswana wildlife and the pristine beaches of Mozambique, enjoying snorkelling, kayaking, picnics on the beach and fantastic game drives!

We want to be really clear about this. We offer amazing value. Tailor-made does not have to mean expensive, it simply means attention to every detail of your trip that will be designed by a true expert.

Here at Imagine Africa, we are so confident that we offer the best value on the market that we have a price promise. If you find the exact same holiday cheaper with another UK tour operator, then we promise to beat their price by £50.

Rest assured that all our holidays are 100% financially protected. Our ATOL bond protects holidays booked in the UK with flights. Our ABTOT bond protects holidays which are booked without flights or those booked outside the UK, either with or without flights.

Protection means that in the unlikely event that we become insolvent; your holiday will be refunded or you will be repatriated if already travelling or have flights with us.